Let's start with the only thing this place did well and the only reason i didn't flat out leave a 1star review. Me and my girlfriend sat in the back booth area. The restaurant seating does give mall food court vibes, but that's ok i wasn't looking for anything fancy. All the wait staff and servers were very friendly and attentive at all times. Food does not take long at all to come out. Overall the food was disappointing. The only taco that was decent and had some flavor was the chicken taco(pechuga). Quite literally everything else was flavorless. The sauces on the side were the saving grace for every item of food I ordered. The ribeye taco was soaked in grease, which made eating it messy. The chuleta taco had no flavor and i would even say tasted bad. I do not recommend it. The food is definitely overpriced, especially considering the area and the amount of taco vendors that sell better tacos. Now what made this experience terrible was my waiter. I ask for the check and the total was $1139. I told him i was paying cash and i put down $1150 cash. He then taps at the receipt saying there's a mandatory tip and service fee. So he added on $100 to the bill right there on the spot. I analyze the receipt he handed to me and none of this is reflected on the receipt. I refused to argue so i put down the extra $100 and asked for the change. Tipping isn't mandatory especially for a table of 2. So i feel the waiter just made this up. I cannot in good conscience recommend this place to anyone. STAY AWAY and save some money. Theres better tasting food at way better prices in the area. read more

El Califa - Tacos from left to right: Pechuga, Chuleta, Bistec - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

See all

Tacos were great! The sauces were made to complement the meal. Superb in taste! Next level fresh ingredients. For me, this was a one and done sorta place cause there's other taco shops around I want to try. A lil' but pricey in my opinion. Beware of the upcharges sales pitch when ordering. "Want this? Want that?" Next thing you know, you're bill has increased. Jamaica drink was small. I didn't ask for a refill because I wasn't sure they offer it but didn't ask. read more

I was recommended the chicharrón de queso here, so that's all I ordered as I was planning to go taco hop afterwards. The server that took my order wasn't happy about it and was very rude from the beginning. The food came out quick and all the other staff that stopped at my table were pleasant and helpful. It was my main server that was so unprofessional and unfriendly. The chicharrón was tasty but way overpriced for what it was. read more

El Califa - Chicharrón de queso - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

Fun spot for tacos and especially great for late night cravings (the restaurant opens until 4AM!). The dining area is spacious, and our group of 8 had no issues walking in and getting a table in the evening. My favorite was the classic al pastor taco - it's a small taco but bold and flavorful. Out of curiosity, I also tried the cactus leaves dish and thought they were rather bland, and they tasted sort of like flavorless bell peppers. Not bad, but not really interesting either. Their menu is huge, and I'd happily come back to try their other snacks and dishes! read more

El Califa - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

See all

A Polanco Taco House with Style and Shortfalls At Taquería El Califa in Polanco, the monochromatic, modern-industrial design evokes an upscale mall food court, sleek but a touch impersonal. Service moved as expected, and the sparkling water, served in a perfectly chilled pint glass, was a thoughtful detail. The flaws, however, accumulated. Our table wobbled distractingly, chips for the guacamole were limited to a paltry four, and the guacamole itself lacked creaminess--a surprising misstep in Mexico City. The bistec taco, thin and slightly cold, still delivered flavor, while the prime rib tacos, paired with a bright, spicy green sauce, stood as the highlight. Yet paper napkins dispensed from a box diminished the otherwise polished sit-down setting. At $36 USD for two, the check aligned with Polanco's reputation but underscored what was missing: the vibrancy, generosity, and satisfaction of Mexico's street food staples. We left full but unconvinced. El Califa impresses in moments, but the experience doesn't warrant a return. #MexicoCityEats #TacoReview #PolancoDining Una Taquería de Polanco con Estilo y Carencias En Taquería El Califa, la arquitectura moderna e industrial, en tonos monocromáticos, recuerda más a un centro comercial elegante que a una taquería con alma. El servicio fue correcto y el agua mineral, servida en un vaso pequeño perfectamente frío, resultó un detalle cuidado. Los fallos, sin embargo, pesaron. La mesa cojeaba, los totopos para el guacamole fueron apenas cuatro y el guacamole carecía de cremosidad, algo difícil de perdonar en Ciudad de México. El taco de bistec, delgado y algo frío, fue sabroso, mientras que el de prime rib, acompañado de una salsa verde picante, brilló con intensidad. Aun así, las servilletas de papel dispensadas rompieron con la intención de sofisticación del espacio. La cuenta, $36 USD por dos personas, estuvo en línea con Polanco, pero resaltó lo que faltaba: la abundancia y energía de la comida callejera mexicana. Salimos satisfechos, pero sin ganas de volver. El Califa ofrece destellos, pero no logra justificar la repetición. #MexicoCityEats #TacoReview #PolancoDining read more

See all

Had the pastor tacos and they were absolutely average. Dry. Probably could have found better ones around the corner on the street. But a decent first meal in Mexico as I was trying to get my stomach acclimated. Servers were kind and attentive read more

El Califa - Pastor - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

We came here thinking it was a Michelin guide restaurant, but I think we may have mistaken this chain for Taqueria El Califa Leon. We got 2 types of tacos to try here, and they were pretty sad looking. I don't know if it was this specific location or if we just got a bad batch, but I didn't enjoy these tacos very much. They were also pretty expensive for what they were. In my opinion, you can get a way better taco for a better price elsewhere. read more

El Califa - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

Always doesn't go wrong - my go-to place. They are simple food with fresh ingredients. Tacos chain. I always like their watercress salad (very simple) and mushroom dishes. read more

El Califa - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

This place is absolutely for the gringas, but it was good. I came for a late lunch and had a chela preparada to start, which was decent. I ordered a taco al pastor and a Costra which I guess is like a cheese wrapped taco? I've never in my life seen that before but it was good, can't complain about melty cheese. I also got a side of the cebollas, which were soooo good. Probably some of the best I've had. Of the 4 salsas, I liked 2. One of them had a very distinct Smokey flavor that I don't think complemented the food well. Prices are high for Mexico City but it's also Roma Norte soooo...you should know to expect to pay a little extra for the location. Overall it was a good meal! Very cute place on the inside, they take cards, the bathrooms are spacious and clean. read more

El Califa - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

See all

It was very very good .. ambiance was great and service was fast and superior . It was all fresh and delicious read more

See all

Late night grub. Amazing . Everything is so delicious , so much flavor . Great service . Couldn't complain .

Quick and kind service, good food at a good price, the main items were good but not the most memorable, some unique desserts to try read more

El Califa - Taco Pastor - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

See all

the meat was so well grilled and smoky added with cheese is like the best thing to eat while drunk read more

El Califa - tacos - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

Anyone not leaving if I star review is either taste blind or just had beef with the restaurant or complaining about something other than food. I'm a World Travel the foodie... Sorry had to drop the bona fides, but it's necessary... it's not that I'm never impressed with food, it's just that I don't ever seem to crave anything anymore. I'm going to crave this. It's hard to believe I'm only two hours from home in the states. But the flavors are so incredibly different. I had three tacos from the vegan menu and the cactus appetizer. Everything was superb. And the most important qualifier... I wasn't even hungry. read more

One of the dishes was served with a piece of plastic, they did apologize and replace the dish. The prices on the receipt are higher than what the menu states, service was ok until one of the servers stopped one of the people that was accompanying me, from getting up by standing in front of her, preventing her from standing, pulling the check open and started counting all the money in front of her as if we were going to dine and dash, then demanded a 10% tip, when all of Mexico does not have a policy requirement on tip! You can call the cops if they do this to you! Honestly you are way better off eating on any stand off the street. I wondered why the place was so empty, since a local had recommended them, now I know why! This place is not worth it, they try take you for as much as they can since clientele is so scarce! Extremely disappointed and disgusted with such behavior! read more

3.5 overall. I enjoyed my tacos Al pastor. My jamaica agua was tasty. The salsas were really good too. A bit pricey for Mexico but it's a bigger city not the pueblo or rancho. Im assuming rents are higher and they also need to pay more staff. Great customer. I liked how clean everything looked ! I'm a germaphobe and I'm always making sure spots clean. They accept credit cards. Walking distance from my hotel in Roma Norte. read more

We were on our way to a different restaurant (long line) so we went to El Califa. We had chicharrón de queso, queso fundido con champiñones, y unos tacos. Everything was great! Loved it so much we went to another location and it was also great. read more

El Califa - Taco de costra - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

See all

El Califa is a popular staple and taqueria chain in Mexico City and was recommended by a local Mexican as my travel buddies and I were very interested in pastor tacos. The restaurant has an open concept with seating indoors and outdoors. We arrived at the establishment and was immediately greeted and sat. There were chicken and pork castor options. I chose the chicken castor with Oaxaca cheese. It was super tasty. I wish I had been a bit more hungry to try other options because this particular menu item was tasty. I would definitely recommend as a place to add to your itinerary to try out when you're in the area. read more

Bottom line: friendly staff, spicy sauces, FLAMEY TACOS. Couldn't go wrong for a late night bite Vibes: okay it was 4am, does that taint the review? Impossible to say. We walked into Rihanna, waiter immediately suggested the Pastor Tacos. Group of 6, we got 12. Sauces and guacamole: flavors were strong, stood on their own as far as flavor. As a spicy fan 5/10 spice, 9/10 flavor. It was an instant spicy, didn't linger to long. Pastor taco: came out HOT. Was a grilled cheese and pastor taco. First hit was a salty cheesy flavor burst. You later get into the pastor, and it's a light pork taste. Tortilla was fresh. read more

El Califa - Cheesy pastor taco vibez - Tacos Near Me - Ciudad de México, DIF

See all

Our favourite taqueria in Mexico City for year! A sophisticated gem! Not only is there a wide variety of street food but the opportunity to have dinner with terrific French Grenache. The flan is absolutely sublime. Don't miss the rajas con crema. read more

Delicious taco- fast, efficient, and friendly service at the Condesa location. Mexican tacos are very different from American tacos.

One of the best taco spots in Mexico City gourmet tacos this place rivals some of the best places I've been in the world when it comes to tacos read more

Food was decent, the waitresses were really nice. I wish we had something fresh like onions salsa, etc. because the cheese was very heavy. The chorizo cheese was good but I am not sure where the chorizos were. I knocked another star off because there were beggars coming to us because we had outdoor seating...the waitresses just watched and let them come up to us. read more

Trash, tostada was incredibly stale. Guacamole was made with absolutely no seasoning. The salsas were flavorless just maybe the worst I have ever tried. I ordered 2 quesadillas one barely had any cheese. I ordered a Al pastor tostada that never came. Bill was paid for but the server never brought my change back lol so he missed out on a bigger tip. Look else where. Plenty to chose from. read more

tasty tacos. lots to choose from. friendly staff. pleasant outdoor seating. we'll be back.

The Califa chain is known for its excellent tacos, and this location is no exception. Here you can find a range of meat cuts, cheeses, and styles of preparation. The al pastor costras we're a highlight. For foreign tourists, definitely come here to try street style tacos. This location also boasted a nice selection of local Mexican craft beers. read more